2020 **ANNUAL** 2021 **REPORT**
**For the long term rehabilitation of Northern Uganda’s ex-child soldiers**
_The trainees are growing increasingly excited about the benefits of planting trees, which are good for food, for health, for income and for the environment._
## **The Seeds of Development Spread Beyond the Model Farm**
“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”
ST FRA N C I S OF AS S I S I
Actions speak louder than words, and we have begun to see encouraging signs of the truth of this in 2020 to 2021. This year we began to shift our focus from the classroom to the field. There is a local custom, known as ‘Kalulu’ through which neighbours gather together on one farm to give practical assistance with difficult tasks (there are no machines here!). The same group then visits the other farms until all have received help. It is a powerful and enlightened practice of community support.
In the true spirit of Kalulu, we sent out small groups to the farms of each of our third year trainees. The groups, supported by members of our team, help to dig water-harvesting ditches, plant trees and carry out other practices they have been learning on the Regenerative Agriculture Course. The feedback from these visits has been deeply encouraging.
Many of the trainees, it turns out, have caught the vision for tree-planting and on their farms new copses of fruit trees are growing healthy and strong. Compost is being created, mulch is being applied to degraded soil and grey water is being recycled. These are signs of true development. It is when people begin to see the real benefits for their real needs that behaviours change and hope begins to take root in the region.
At the same time, the dawning reality of Covid-19 has added a new layer of uncertainty to lives already dealing with so much suffering. Yet through all of these challenges, the healthy young trees, growing on the farms and compounds of our trainees, point towards a more resilient and fruitful future.
_Evelyn, our project manager, teaching the Sustainable Agriculture Course to the 2020 intake of trainees._
“The great aim of education is not knowledge but action.”
HERB ERT SPENCER
## **A message from Evelyn**
We are thankful that agricultural work has been deemed a ‘essential activity’ by the Ugandan Government, so we have been able to keep much of the work going on the Model Farm throughout the pandemic.
Third Hope Project Manager, Akoli Evelyn, sends greetings from the team in Gulu.
_Despite the Covid lockdown, trees still grow. Hundreds of trees on the Model Farm are entering their fifth year and fruit is in abundance._
## **This was the Year that the Model Farm Burst into Fruit**
The Model Farm continues to be a place of beauty and sanctuary where we are able to continue trialling and refining the sustainable farming practices we teach on the Regenerative Agriculture Course. As we shared in the last annual report, through our experimentation with mulching and composting, the exchild soldiers experienced a significant increase in the yield of crops such as ground-nuts and maize. There was genuine amazement at the results and it has increased the trainees’ confidence in what they are learning and strengthened their determination to make a positive difference on their own land.
“Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.”
JEAN-JAC QU E S ROUS S E AU
Having dug well over a kilometre of rainwater-harvesting ditches, known as ‘swales’, on the Model Farm, we are now beginning to see a real impact on productivity as a result of this simple farming technique. Trees have grown well, even through the dry season, and fruit is in abundance. Although the effect of swales is undeniable, it has taken until this year for the ex-child soldiers to begin to dig their own. Creating swales is hard work, and no over-stretched farmer is going to take on the back-breaking task of digging them until he or she is fully convinced of their efficacy!
Our naturally constructed buildings continue to offer beautifully cool teaching spaces, despite the burning African sun, and this year we have been able to completely re-roof the Learning Circle where all the agricultural teaching, the trauma counselling course and the vocational workshops take place.
In November 2020 we welcomed 16 new ex-child soldiers for the 20/21 Training Course which was received with great interest and energy. We also continue to support all our graduates in their vocational training and are seeing their progress and increased self-confidence as they practise these skills.
You can read more here:
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https://thirdhope.org/partners-in-hope/
Many thanks to all who
joined our ‘Let’s Get to Gulu’
campaign where, during
lockdown, supporters took to
their bicycles or put on their
walking boots to help us cover
the 6000 miles to Gulu. We are
already over half way so will be
picking up the challenge again
as we are determined to get all
the way there!
TREESFOR
An invitation to partner with us in our
in Northern Uganda, where ex-child soldiers long-term TREE-PLANTING PROGRAMME ,
become the agents of change.
This leaflet is an invitation for individuals or organisations
to consider partnering with us, by regular monthly giving,
in our commitment to walk with ex-child solders on their
long road of recovery.
TRANSFORMATION
Standing with ex-child soldiers for the long-term
Third Hope is committed to the long-term
rehabilitation of Northern Uganda’s
ex-child soldiers.
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## **Fund Raising that Focuses on Tenacity and Trees!**
This year we have focused our attention on two new fund-raising efforts in response to the realities that are emerging on the ground in Uganda.
The first, **‘Partners in Hope’** , is born out of an increased realisation of the long-term nature of the work. We have always known this in theory, but we are now seeing in reality just how important it is that we think in terms of years and decades, not weeks and months.
“By perseverance the snail reached the ark.”
C HARL E S S P U RGEON
We are therefore hoping to widen our support base of monthly givers in order to provide valuable stability and security to the whole team as we plan for the future. With this in mind, we have developed a new facility on the website to enable supporters to set up monthly giving.
Our second fund-raising effort is **‘Trees for Transformation’** . This has been inspired by the enthusiasm with which the trainees have taken to planting new saplings on their own land. This has lead to neighbouring farmers coming to them for advice. The region has become dangerously denuded of trees so this represents an enormous opportunity. The trainees make the best teachers and through them the hopeful message of the benefits of trees can spread quickly and efficiently.
We want to encourage this as much as we can, as these are the first signs of a true transformation in how the ex-child soldiers are seen in the community. Where they were once regarded as a danger, they are now being seen as agents of hope and change. _Trees for Transformation_ aims to enable partners to help us empower the trainees to become trainers in the community.
## **Maintaining our Local Focus Means Achieving a Greater Impact**
The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, have provided an effective and clear way to understand the process of development in its many and varied facets. We are encouraged that, three years into our active training programme, we are already making a tangible contribution to every one of the SDGs.
Here are just a few of the ways that Third Hope is helping contribute to the long-term rehabilitation of ex-child soldiers and, through them, to bring lasting improvements to the wider community.
Empowering women with vocational skills
Teaching about the importance of small-scale rural businesses
Improving rural food security by teaching sustainable farming Encouraging the use of resilient indigenous crops
Training on nutrition, especially to women with children
Teaching disease prevention and reproductive health
Deliver vocational training to improve skills and livelihoods Providing literacy and life-skills training
Training women alongside men with equal access to learning Employing women in management positions
Providing clean drinking water for several local villages Training and demonstrating the safe use of composting toilets
The whole project is off-grid and powered by solar energy Modelling water harvesting and widespread use of bicycles
Encouraging diversification of skills to expand income sources Advocating actively for the end of the injustice of child soldiers
Encouraging ex-child soldiers to set up community training groups Providing low tech affordable solutions
Working exclusively with the poorest sector of society Building confidence and self worth in ex-child soldiers
Encouraging the use of natural building materials Adopting traditional Acholi modes of consensual leadership
Teaching on the environmental impact of plastics Encouraging the use of low impact materials on site
Pioneering an extensive rural tree-planting programme Delivering training on how climate change affects the poor
Uganda is land-locked, so little can be done for the oceans, although we do teach and model inland fish farming.
Offering training on the value of trees to the environment
Giving practical training on the care and propagation of trees
Our Peace Centre provides a forum for community dialogue It also encourages analysis of the roots of war in each of us.
_Ex-child soldiers, who were once stigmatised and ostracised by the local community are beginning to be seen as agents of hope and change._
## **A Changing of the Guard**
2020 saw changes to the trusteeship in the UK with two trustees stepping back and two new trustees coming forward to join us. With great gratitude for the gift of their time and talents, we bade farewell to Antonia Honeywell and Charlotte Hughes. Their legacy of creativity and compassion will be felt for many years to come.
At the same time, we are delighted to welcome Ntombizifikile Mkoyana (Fikile) and Barry Horner to the Board of Trustees. Both bring valuable experience and invaluable friendship to the board and we are already gaining strength and encouragement from their compassion, wisdom and energy.
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
**Third Hope UK** is a Charitable Trust governed by a trust deed. As such it is regulated by the laws affecting charitable trusts in the UK. A body of trustees governs Third Hope. There must be a minimum of three trustees serving at any time. New trustees may be suggested by any trustee and are appointed by consensus of all the current trustees.
Decisions are made at trustees’ meetings, with sub committees managing issues of specialist interest. The trustees are responsible for fund-raising and for supporting the team in Uganda, as well as ensuring that income is used to further the objectives of Third Hope Africa, as outlined in its Governing Document.
**Third Hope Africa** is an International NGO, registered in Uganda, which is responsible for the day-to-day running of the project in Uganda and the delivery of the programme to the trainees. It is funded by Third Hope UK and audited by the Ugandan authorities. Two UK trustees sit on the board of Third Hope Africa.
## **The Charity is Managed by the Following Trustees:**
Peter Iles (since Autumn 2015) Rose-Mary Salmon (Chair since Autumn 2015) David Salmon (since Autumn 2015) Barry Horner (since October 2020) Ntombizifikile Mkoyana (since December 2020)
## **Public Benefit Statement**
Third Hope has read the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and is satisfied that the activities outlined above clearly demonstrate that the charity is providing a benefit to the public.
## **Financial Review**
We have no deficit on our funds at the end of the year. Our funds carried forward are £19,244.22 of which £13,208.25 are unrestricted funds.
## **Reserves Policy**
Third Hope holds in reserve enough to cover staff allowances for three months and for any expenditure to which we have committed.
## **www.thirdhope.org**
**UK Office** : 16 The Leas, North Bushey, Herts WD23 2DZ **Contact:** fiona@thirdhope.org
Third Hope, registered charity no. 1133419 Third Hope Africa, International NGO, no. FORR8830311NB
**February 2020 – January 2021**
## **T HIR D H O PE AC C O UN TS**
## **Income**
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Donations £32,174.51
Fundraising £5,442.25
Grants £4,000.00
Grand Total £41,616.76
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## **Expenditure**
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Operational Costs in Uganda £54,549.41
UK Support Office: Salaries and Office Costs £2,391.50
Fundraising Costs £1,195.75
Grand Total £58,136.66
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|**Breakdown of**
**Expenditure**
9
**Operational Costs**
**UK Support Offce**
**Fundraising**
**94%**
**4%**
**2%**|**Regenerative Agricultural Course and Ongoing Training**
(of 66 Ex-child Soldiers)
Agricultural Training
Vocational Workshops
Trauma Counselling
Trainees’ Work Experience
Tools, Saplings & Seeds
Welfare: Food and Hygiene
Literacy Classes
Benefciaries Support Fund
Maintenance of Training Rooms
Renewable Energies
Staffng
Monitoring & Evaluation
**Total Operational Costs**
**UK Support Offce**
**Fundraising**
**Total Expenditure**|£7,658.37
£4,351.57
£1,466.25
£9,840.28
£2,265.36
£3,180.07
£304.00
£1,636.39
£4,003.72
£820.79
£16,561.48
£2,461.12
**£54,549.41**
**£2,391.50**
**£1,195.75**
**£58,136.66**|13%
7.5%
2.5%
17%
4%
5.5%
0.5%
3%
7%
1.5%
28.5%
4%
**94%**
**4%**
**2%**
**100%**|
|---|---|---|---|
## **Summative**
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Balance Carried Forward from 19/20 Accounts £35,744.12
Total Income £41,616.76
Total Expenditure £58,136.66
Balance Carried Forward to 21/22 Accounts £19,224.22
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## **Restricted and Unrestricted Funds:**
Of the balance carried forward, £6,015.97 are Restricted Funds and £13,208.25 are Unrestricted Funds.
## **Assets:**
Third Hope UK is solely a fundraising arm of the work and holds no assets. Third Hope Africa, the operational arm of the organisation in Uganda, holds assets to the value of £30,190.
## **www.thirdhope.org**
**UK Office** : 16 The Leas, North Bushey, Herts WD23 2DZ **Contact:** fiona@thirdhope.org
Third Hope, registered charity no. 1133419 Third Hope Africa, International NGO, no. FORR8830311NB
THIRD
Independent Examlner's Report to the Trustees of
TbSrd Hope For The Year Ended 31 jary 2021
I reEM)rt ts) the InMe on my exami of the accowits of th¢ Third HO UK Tnfft for the year ended 31.
January 2021.
Resp¢¢tive responslbllltles of trnitttt *ttd tx•min¢r
As the chArity trustees of the Tn( you are responsible for the preparation of the counts in aCCordC
with the requiTements of the ch111¢6 Act 2011 ('the 2011 Acfj.
It is my responsibility lo..
¢xamine the #¢eounts under section 145 of th¢ 2011 ACL
to follow all the applicable procedures laid down in the geneTal DirtiOnS given by the
Charity Commission (under S110 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act), and
lo stste whether particular maiters haTK come th my ItntIOn.
B*il$ of Independtnl ex*mln¢r'$•tst¢meDt
My examinatton was carried out in accordance with general Dtrections given by the Charity
Commission. An examinalion includes a review of the accountin8 records k¢pi by th¢ ¢h3Tity and 4
¢ompaTison of ¢h¢ •¢¢ouni$ pr¢sented with those r¢¢ords. 1¢ #iso Itt¢lUd ¢on$ideration of any
unusual Ilen or dtsclosures in ibe accounts and 8ttkinB explamiions from the Trustees conceTning
any such matters.
Th¢ procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence ihai would Ee required in an audit, and
consequently no opinion is given as lo whether the accounts preseni a 'tsue and view and the
report is limii¢d io those matier8 set out in th¢ stst¢ment below.
llld¢pendeDt exAmlDer'8 Itatement
I have complet¢d my uaminalion. I confiTm ¢ha¢ no material matters have come to my atl¢nlion in
connection with the ¢xamin41ion giving me c#u8e to believe that in any material r¢Jpe¢¢'.
the accounting rKords of the tTUSt were not kept in accordance with tion 130 of the 2011
the accounts do not accord with those accounting records.
I have no concerns and have com¢ a0$5 no oth¢r matters in connection wilh the examination to which
attention should be drawn in this report in OTd¢r to enable a prop¢r understanding of the 4c¢ounts lo b¢
reached.
Slgned:
ILcknf
Date: 9 September 2D21
#me: Mn Tr*¢y Clamp FCCA
Third Hope AtrKo - (atr¥e Restoration.. Lasting TransfOrrnatn
Registered charrty lor the care of childien affected by arr conflict. NGO FORR883031 INB. UK Charity 1133419